Voter Registration and Absentee Voting

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Voter Registration and Absentee Voting
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Overview

• Purpose of Voter Registration and Absentee Voting
• Rules Conducting a Voter Registration
• Voter Registration Form
• Follow Up
• Rules for Absentee Voting

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Purpose
Voter Registration is a tool to find new voters
and update old ones
If done correctly, it can be used as a GOTV tool
Also can be used to motivate younger voters to
vote
But should be done very early in the campaign
rather than later
However, Absentee voting is essential in a
campaign
Since voters 65 and over voter regularly, its a
tool to help bring out the vote
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Democratic Party Duties Party Structure
Why Not Only Register?
Voter Registration is only successful if voters
turnout!
In El Paso County, 75 80 of those eligible are
registered
However, only 10-40 actually vote
Why?
If you register only and dont contact, they are
most likely not to vote
You have to remind a voter 3-5 times
Keeping a Record of those you register IS
ESSENTIAL!
If registered already, you can make a Pledge to
Vote Card
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Democratic Party Duties The Primary
Who Is Eligible to Vote?
Needs to be a citizen
Over 18 or 17 and 10 months
Texas Resident for the last 30 Days
Cannot be a felon
Once they finish their time, they can register
again
Not Declared Mentally Incompetent by a court of
law
Proof of Identification
Drivers Lic, SS, birth certificate, passport,
etc.
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Democratic Party Duties Pct. Convention
Conducting a Voter Reg Drive
First Become a Deputy Registrar
Target Your Location and Audience
Mall, Busy Store, Campus, BarsMajor Events
GET PERMISSION!
Drives are NON PARTISAN!
The Deadline to Register is 30 days before an
election
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Campaign/Election Duties
Conducting a Voter Reg Drive
ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS REVIEW YOUR CARD!
Highlight your card for simplicity
Make sure Citizen is Marked!
Must have a Name
Make sure Address is complete
Make sure DOB is complete
Make sure DL or SS is there
Sign and Date
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Campaign/Elections The Ideal Precinct
Follow Up!
Again, what makes the voter registration
successful is following up
Make sure you get a phone number
If you make a form to follow up, get email as well
If they are really interested, get their
information
Remember, voters will vote if you remind them 3
to 5 times
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Campaign/Elections Building the Pct.
Absentee Voting
Mail In Ballot Drives is a Perfect GOTV Tool!
65 tends to vote more
You can target strong Democrats
Eligibility
Chapter 86 Election Code
Military Personnel
People who will be away from the area on Election
Day
Disabled
People who are 65 and over
Two Important Rules!
You cannot have an open mail-in ballot envelope
in your possession
You cannot assist the voter in filling out the
ballot
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Campaign/Elections GOTV
Conducting a Mail In Campaign
Timeline between 60 to 7 days before an
election
A voter must fill out an application for a mail
in ballot
A second party can fill out the application but
not the signature
During this time, its a good opportunity to
campaign and follow up
When they Get The Ballot
You can assist by filling out their name,
address, BUT NOT the actual vote Other rules
too (chapter 86)
If you do assist, you must fill out a
assistant/witness statement
There are two envelopes, the ballot and the
carrier Signature must Match!
YOU MUST Mail the ballot. You cannot carry the
ballot with you
Must be turned in by Election Day
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Campaign/Election Ideas for Activities
Conducting a Mail In Campaign
Mail In Campaign Does Make a Difference
Target a strong Democratic Precinct
Use the VAN System to make it easier
You can find the voter, make sure they got the
ballot, and voted
Remember CHAPTER 86 OF THE ELECTION CODE
Any Questions Comments